The $1 billion Redcliffe Peninsula Line in north east Brisbane is set to open on 4 October 2016 following successful testing of its signalling system.
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said the new line will improve travel times for commuters and will provide an incentive for people to switch from private vehicles to public transport, which in turn will reduce congestion on the local road network.
“Thousands of people commute from the Moreton Bay region to the Brisbane CBD and beyond, each and every day, and everyone who has ever commuted wishes they could spend less time in traffic and more time at home or productively at work,” Mr Fletcher said.
“This rail line has been on the cards for many decades and I’m delighted the local community and commuters will now reap the rewards of this important project.”
Member for Petrie Luke Howarth said the signalling system was tested successfully and new platforms four and five are set to open and be in use from 23 September 2016.
“It’s great to see how the public have planned their trips during the track closure on the Caboolture Line,” Mr Howarth said.
Minister for Transport Yvette D’Ath said the signalling system had been fully tested for more than 36 hours.
“Queensland Rail has tested all possible train pathing routes, using both diesel and electric test trains,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“The workforce was rostered around the clock with a peak of 120 workers on site, totalling more than 12,000 working hours,” Ms D’Ath said.
“The track closure this week is the largest in recent history. I am happy with how it has gone and the good customer feedback received.
“I appreciate the disruption the closure has caused for commuters, however it was necessary to enable the commissioning of the new Redcliffe Peninsula line.
“We recently opened the 12.6km shared user path along the length of the line, and today we will open a new 100-space car park and park ‘n’ ride facilities for easy access.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland said he was pleased the final testing of the signalling system had been a success.
“This line has been more than 100 years in the making, and now it’s only 10 days away,” Mr Sutherland said.
“It’s great to hear the final testing of the signalling system went well and that the line is on track and ready to open as planned on Tuesday, 4 October, in time for the start of the school term.
“Once commuter services start, more than 34 per cent of the region’s residents will be connected to a fast, reliable rail service for the first time ever, with a journey into the Brisbane CBD taking less than an hour.
“We couldn’t be more excited here in the Moreton Bay Region for this historic rail line to open, and I encourage everyone to register and come down for the community open day to celebrate.
This project is part of a $1.2 billion program of public transport improvements for the Moreton Bay Region.
The program includes the $988 million Redcliffe Peninsula rail line and the $37.5 million Rothwell Intersection Upgrade which are jointly funded by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council; and the $139 million Lawnton to Petrie Rail Upgrade Project.
